Folding crate.



T. W. EBB.

FOLDING CRATE. APPLIOATION 111.111) 001 2, 1908.

Patented Sept. 7, 1909.

- N IEDST E T THOMAS w. EBB, or FINDLAY, ILLINOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 2, 1908. Serial No. 455,864.

FOLDING CRATE.

Patented Sept. *2, 1909.

Toall tuhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS W. EBB, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Findlay, inthe county of Shelby and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Crates, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in folding crates, and theprime object of the invention is the production of a receptacle of this character in which the fold ing or collapsible feature reduces the bulk of the crate when folded, and in this condition a number of the folded crates may be nested and strapped together, thus decreasing the cost of freight when the empty crate is returned to the shipper.

The crate is adapted for shipment of poultry, foodstuffs, etc., and with a variation in the size, the same may be modified to accommodate different animals in their transportati on to market.

The invention consists essentially in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one example of the physical embodiment of my invention, constructed according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a crate embodying the novel features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view from the inside of thecrate, of a corner, showing the .posts and bars of an end and side, and the bracket in which these members are pivoted. Fig. 3 isa perspective view of one of the end posts showing the end bars broken away, and the corner bracket. Fig. 4 is outside view of a corner of the crate.

The invention contemplates the folding of the two end and two side members of the crate, inwardly toward each other, and to this end the posts 1, of the sides 2, and the posts 3 of the ends 4 are pivoted and foldable with relation to the bottom 5 of the crate. The eight posts are pivoted in four metallic castings or corner brackets 6 provided with horizontal extensions 7 and vertical extensions 8, by means of which they are securely attached to the bottom, at its four corners, through the medium of bolts or screws passed through the holes 9 in said extensions. In view of the fact that the members, that is,

' the'side and end members, must necessarily fold one upon another, the pivotal points of the members are arranged on different planes with relationship to thebottom. And as it is desirable that the sides of the crate be folded inwardly toward each other in the initial operation of folding, the pivot point 10, which is a bolt passed through .the holes 11 in the walls 12 of the socket 123, is located near the bottom of the crate. The posts 1 which have their ends seated in the sockets 13 are thus pivoted, and with the bars 1 1 which constitute the sides of the crate, may be turned on the bolts 10 as indicated by the arrow in Fig. .2, and folded against the bottom. A second post 15 may be located centrally of the side members, to strengthen the same, and this post is conveniently pivoted in metallic bracket 17 secured to the bottom of the crate.

The bolt 18 which constitutes the pivot for the end posts 3 is located at a higher plane than the pivot bolt 10, in order that the ends may be folded down upon the sides. This bolt l8 is passed through apertures in the walls 19 of the socket 20, in which the post 3 is seated and forms the pivot for the post to turn upon, the bars 21 connect the end posts and form the end members of the crate. As clearly shown in Fig. 3, the posts 3 are cut away to form mortises 22 for the reception of the side bars 14, the ends of which fitneatly in the mortises and insure a comparatively rigid connection. To further insure. a secure joint between the end and side members, a bolt 23 is passed through, from the inside,,the post 1, and its end 24 is bent at right angles to form a button. A vertical slot 25 is cut through the posts 3 of sufficient length to permit the passage of the bent end of the bolt, when in vertical position. In this manner, the two members are locked by a simple turn given to the bent angle 24 after it has been passed through the slot.

The top 26 of the crate is also adapted to fold upon the collapsed members as above described. A pair of metallic links 27, having one end pivoted at 28 to the top and its lower end pivoted at 29 to the end posts 3, connect the top with the end posts permanently, and the other end of the top may be temporarily fastened to the posts 3 by means of a hook. Inasmuch as the pivot 29 is mid way the height of the post 3, it will readily be understood that, when the post 3' in Fig.

1 is folded to the right, the top may be 7 swung to the left on its pivot 29, thus nesting the parts neatly.

A transverse bar 30 is provided to strengthen the top and a cleat 31 is adapted to fit over the top side bar to prevent spreadmg. I

To permit access to the interior of the crate, I provide a slide rod 32, slotted at 33 to receive the bolt 34, which permits the Withdrawal of the bar a distance equal to the length of the slot 33.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination in a folding crate having a bottom member, of side and end members having independent posts, brackets provided with sockets for the reception of the ends of the posts and pivots for the posts, the pivots for said members being located on different vertical planes, the brackets for r the vertical end and side posts, each having a horizontal and vertical securing wing and a pair of sockets arranged at right angles to each other to receive the lower ends of said posts.

2. The combination in a folding crate, of a bottom having corner brackets formed with sockets, side and end members of the crate having independent posts pivoted in said sockets, the ivots for the members being located on di erent vertical planes, and a top member pivotally connected to one of the end members, the brackets for the vertical end and side posts, each having a horizontal and vertical securing wing and a pair of sockets arranged at right angles to each other to receive the lower ends of said posts.

3. The combination in a folding crate of a bottom having corner brackets formed with sockets, side and end members of the crate having independent posts pivoted in saidsockets, and the posts of one member being mortised for the reception of the side bars of the other member, the brackets for the vertical end and side posts, each having a horizontal and vertical securing wing and a pair of sockets arranged at right angles to each other to receive the lower ends of said posts.

4. The combination in a folding crate of a bottom having corner brackets formed with sockets, side and end members of the crate having independent posts pivoted in the sockets, the pivots for the members being located on difierent vertical planes, and the posts of one member being mortised for the reception of the side bars of its adjacent member, the brackets for the vertical end and side posts, each having a horizontal and vertical securing wing and a pair of sockets arranged at right angles to each other to re ceive the lower ends of the posts.

The combination in a folding crate of a bottom having corner brackets formed with sockets, side and end members of the crate having independent posts pivoted in the sockets, the pivots for the members being located on different vertical planes, the posts of one member being mortised for the reception of the side bars of its adjacent member, and a top member pivotally connected to one of the end members, the brackets for the vertical end and side posts, each having a horizontal and vertical securing wing and a pair of sockets arranged at right angles to each other to receive the lower ends of said posts.

6. The folding crate herein shown and described, consisting of the top and bottom ends and sides, brackets arranged at the corners of the bottom, said brackets each having an integral vertical and horizontal attaching wing and a pair of sockets disposed at a right angle and central disposed plates secured to the bottom and formed with a vertical socket.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS IV. ERB.

Vitnesses GHARLEY VEYLns, HOMER Home. 

